Additive for feeds



trations set forth in the present specifications United States Patent 2,811,446 ADDITIVE FOR FEEDS Joseph A. Chenicek, Bensenville, Ill., assignor to Universal Oil Products Company, Des Plaines, 111., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application October 5, 1954, Serial No. 460,505

5 Claims. (Cl. 99-4) This is a continuation-in-part of copending application Serial No. 392,469, filed November 16, 1953, which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 176,531, filed July 28, 1950, now Patent No. 2,686,719. The present application relates to an additive for feeds and more particularly to a novel method of increasing the productivity and in effecting other improvements in animals, poultry, fish, etc. 7

The present invention is particularly applicable for use in poultry feeds in order to increase egg production. As will be shown in the example appended to the present specifications, experiments have been conducted in which the diets of two comparable groups of chickens have been selectively controlled. The diet of one of the groups of chickens contained the additive of the present invention, while the diet of the other group of chickens did not contain the additive. The first group of chickens, which have been supplied with the diet containing the additive, have produced eggs in a quantity of almost double to the quantity of eggs produced by the other group of chickens.

In addition, other improvements may result including, for example, increasing appetite and accordingly the amount of food consumed, hastening maturity and accordingly inducing an earlier time of egg laying, enhancing protein metabolism, increasing size and health of progeny especially where the beneficial effects are not consumed in egg laying or other functions, etc. Illustrative examples of poultry to which the present invention is particularly applicable include chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, ostriches, game bird, canaries, parrots, parakeets, etc.

The present invention also is particularly applicable for use in feeds for domestic animals in order to increase the fertility thereof. For example, means of increasing the fertility of cattle, hogs, sheep, etc., is of extreme importance to farmers and other stock raisers. Also it is important to stimulate multiple births. Illustrative examples of domestic animals to which the presentapplication is particularly applicable include hogs, cows, sheep, goats, horses, dogs, cats, etc. and illustrative examples of other animals include deer, buffalo, monkeys, etc.

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2 In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of improving the productivity of animals which comprises including in the diet therefor N,N-di-alkyl-pphenylene diamine in which each alkyl group contains at least seven carbon atoms.

In a specific embodiment the present invention relates to a method of increasing the production of eggs The examples hereinbefore set forth are preferred embodiments to which the present invention is particularly applicable. However, it is understood that the additive of the present invention maybe utilized in any feed stock or as a supplement thereto. In another embodiment the present invention may be applied to insects where increased productivity is desired. For example, increased reproduction of bees would be desirable to the bee keepers, etc. Similarly the present invention may be desirable for use in the diets of reptiles, etc.

The term productivity is used in the present specifications and claims in a generic sense to include any imegg laying, or other functions provement in the fertility, of animals, and includes, for example, the specific illuswhich comprises feeding chickens with a diet containing N,N-di-sec-octyl-p-phenylene diamine in a concentration sutficient to effect said increase.

In another embodiment the present invention relates to animal feed containing N,N'-di-alkyl-p-phenylene diamine in which each alkyl group contains at least seven carbon atoms in an amount sufiicient to impart improved productivity to said animal. 1

As hereinbefore set forth, improved productivity an other improvements are effected by including in the diet or supplementing the same with certain N,N'-di-alkylpphenylene diamines. The N,N-di-alkyl-p-phenylene diamine must contain at least seven carbon atoms in each alkyl group and preferably comprises secondary alkyl groups. In general, itis preferred that the number of alkyl groups does not exceed about 25 and thus the preferred compounds comprise N,N-di-alkyl-p-phenylene diamines in which each alkyl group contains from seven to about 25 carbon atoms.

Preferred N,N'-di-alkyl-p-phenylene diamines include N,N-di-heptyl p phenylene diamine, N,N-di-octyl-pphenylene diamine, N,N-di-nonyl-p-phenylene diamine, N,N-di-decyl-p-phenylene diamine, N,N-di-undecy1-p phenylene diamine, N,N di-dodecylp phenylene diamine, N,N-di-tridecyl-p-phenylene diamine, N,Ni-ditetradecyl-p-phenylene" diamine, N,N'-di pentadccyl -'pphenylene diamine, N,N'-di-hexadecyl-p-phenylene -diamine, N,Nrdi-heptadecyhp-phenylene diamine, N,N'- di'octadecyl-p-phenylene diamine, N,N"-di-nonadecyl-pphenylene diamine, N,N'-di-eicosyl-p-phenylene diamine,

N,N-di-heneicosyl-p-phenylene diamine, N,N'-didocosylp-phenylene diamine, N,N-di-tricosyl-p-phenylene diamine, N,N-di-tetracosyl-p-phenylene diamine, and N,N'- di-pentacosyl-p-phenylene diamine.

As hereinbefore set forth, compounds in which the alkyl groups comprise secondary configuration are preferred. A particularly preferred compound for use in accordance with the present invention comprises N,N'- di-3- (S-methylheptyl) -p-phenylene diamine. Another preferred compound comprises N,N'-di-4-(2,6-di-methyl heptyl)-p-phenylene diamine. Other preferred compounds comprise those specifically set forth in the previous paragraph in which the alkyl groups are'secondary alkyl groups. Compounds having this configuration are readily prepared by the reductive alkylation of -p-nitroaniline or p-phenylene' diamine witha'ketone. However, in some cases, compounds in which thealkyl groups comprise primary groups may be employed and such compounds may be prepared by the reductive alkylation of p-nitroaniline or p-phenylene diamine with an aldehyde. It is understood that the alkyl group itself may be straight or branched chain. 7 i

In some cases, the additive may contain two different alkyl groups, each containing from sevento aboutjZS carbon atoms. Compounds in this class, may comprise, for example, N-heptyl-N'-octyl p-pheny1ene diamine, N

, heptyl-N'-nonyl-p-phenylene diamine, N-heptyl-N-decylp-phenylene diamine, Nheptyl-N'-undecyl-p-phenylene diamine, N-heptyl-N-dodecyl p-phenylene diamine, etc., N-octyl-N-nonyl-p-phenylene diamine, N-octyl-N-decyl- 'p-phenylene diamine, N-octyl-N'-undecyl-p*pl1enylene dietc.,-N- decyl-N-dodecyl-p-phenylene diamine, N-undecyl-' N-dodecyl-p-phenylene diamine, phenylene diamine, etc.

It will be noted that a large number of additive compounds may be prepared'and used within the broad scope of the present invention. However, all of these compounds are not necessarily equivalent in their activity.

While the alkyl substituted compounds are definitely preferred, it is understood that in some cases N,N'-disubstitutedcompounds in which the substituents comprise alkenyl groups may be employed as, for example, Compounds as N,N'-di-heptenyl-p-phenylene diamine, N,N-di-octenyl-p-phenylene diamine,. N,N-di-nonenylp-phenylene diamine, N,N'-di-decenyl-p-phenylene diamine, etc.,N-heptenyl-N'-no11enyl-pphenylene diamine, N-ctenyl-N'-decenyl-p-phenylene diamine, etc. In still other cases, compounds containing a cyclic substitueut attached to one of the nitrogen atoms may be employed as, for example, in compounds as N-heptyl-N'-phenyl-pphenylene diamine, N-octyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylene diamine, etc., N-octyl-N-cyclohexyl-p-phenylene diamine, 'N'-decyl-N'-cyclohexyl-p-phenylene diamine, etc., N- heptenyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylene diamine, etc. In this embodiment, at least one of the substituents attached to a nitrogen atom must be an alkyl group of at least seven carbon atoms. In still another embodiment N-,N,N,N-tetra-substituted-p-phenylene diamine compounds may be employed but at least one and preferably at least two of the substituents comprises alkyl groups of at least seven carbon atoms each. Illustrative compounds in this class include N,N-di-heptyl-N,N-di-methyl-p- 'phenylene diamine, N,N-di-octyl-N,N'-dimethyl-p- -phenylene diamine, etc., N,N-di-heptyl-N,N'-di-ethyl-p- 'phenylene diamine, N,N-di-octyl-N,N-di-ethyl-p-phenyl- "ene diamine, etc., 'N,N-di-heptyl-N,N-di-propyl-p-phenylone; diamine, N,N'-di-octyl-N,N-di-propyl-p-phenylene diamine, etc., N,N'-di-heptyl-N,N-di-butyl-p-phenylene "diaminef N,N-di-octyl-N,N'-di-butyl-p-phenylene diamine, etc., N-,N-di-heptyl-N,N'-di amyl-p-phenylene diamine, N,N-di-octyl-N,N-di-amyl-p-phenylene diamine, ='etc., N,N-d i-heptyl-N,N-di-hexyl-p-phenylene diamine, N,N'-di-octyl-N,N'-di-hexyl-p-phenylene diamine, etc., N,N,N',N'-te tra heptyl-p-phenyIene' diamine, N,N,Nf,N'- tetra-octyl-p-phenylene diamine, etc. Instill another embodiment the additive compound may" contain one or more other substituents attached directly to the ring. The substituent orsubstituents preferably comprise alkyl, al- "though other hydrocarbon groups or groups containing oxygen, nitrogen, and/or sulfur may be employed. However, the substituent must not impart toxicity to the additive compound or destroy its potency for the desired purpose. As hereinbefore set forth, the N,N-di-alkylp phenylene diamines in which each alkyl group contains at least seven carbon atoms are preferred for use in accordance withthe present invention and the other classes of compounds herein set forth may be used in some cases,

i but with the understanding that they are not necessarily equivalent.

The preferred compounds for use in accordance with -the present invention may be prepared by reductive alkylation or in any other suitable manner. A particu- .larly preferred catalyst for effecting the reductive alkylation of p-nitro-aniline or p-phenylene diamine with a ..ketone or aldehyde comprises a mixture of the oxides of chromium, copper and barium, although other suitable catalysts may be employed. Other catalysts include nickel,

' nickel-kieselguhr, nickel sulfide, copper sulfide, molybdenum sulfide and those containing platinum, palladium, etc. The temperature to be employed generally will dcpend upon the particular catalyst used. When employing the mixture of chromium oxide, copper oxide and barium oxide catalyst, the temperature utilized is within the range of from about 200 to about 500 F., and the *hydrogen pressure employedis within the range of from about 100 to about 3000 pounds or more and preferably within the range of from about 150 to about 1500 pounds.

The concentration of additive to be included in a diet or supplied separately to supplement the diet will vary with the particular diet. The additive will be used in amounts sufficient to effect the desired improvement. In most cases, this concentration will be within the range of from about 0.00001% to about 1% by weight of the diet and more particularly within the range of from about 0.0001% to about 0.1% by weight.

The additive may be incorporated in the feed in any suitable manner. When the feed is to be cooked, baked or the like, the additive may be incorporated before or after the cooking, baking, etc. When the feed is solid material, usually ground, mashed, pelleted, etc., and/or baked, cooked, fried, etc., the additive may be incorporated in the fed before or after such treatment or treatments. When the feed is liquid, the additive is readily incorporated therein by intimate mixing. When the additive is served separately, it preferably is prepared in a mixture with a suitable nontoxic solvent and served as a liquid or it may be prepared iii-admixture with a suitable non-toxic solid and'served in any suitable solid form. In still another embodiment the additive may be supplied to the animal in any suitable manner including, for example, by injecting the additive, preferably as a solu tion or emulsion, into the animal, etc.

The additive may be used as such or it may be dissolved in asuitable non-toxic organic solvent or utilized as an emulsion in water, with or without a suitable emulsifying agent, when desired. Suitable solvents comprise vegetable oils, such as corn oil, soy bean oil, cotton seed oil, sesame oil, peanut oil, etc., or it may comprise other non-toxic .solvents including, for example, propylene glycol, glyc- 'erine,.etc. When utilized, any suitable emulsifying agent may be employed including, for example, Aerosol, Nacconol, Santomerse, etc., or those of the Gardinol type.

'In still another embodiment the additive may be prepared in admixture with suitable inert material, preferably as particlesof definite size and shape as, for example, vermiculitewhich is harmless in the small amounts used and actually may be beneficial as an aid to digestion.

The additive of the present invention may be utilized in conjunction with other additives included in feeds for specific purposes. For example, it may be utilized along with vitamins, spices, etc., and, when desired, it may be and effecting other" improvements in animals. The addiitive' is non-volatile and, therefore, will be satisfactorily rctained in the feed. It is non-toxic in the small amounts utilized and, therefore, may be used satisfactorily for this purpose. The iadditiveis stable at high temperatures and thus'may beincorporated'in the feed before cooking, bakin ere. I I

The following examples are introduced to illustrate fur- Ttherthenovelty'and utilityof the present invention but I not with the intention of unduly limiting the same.

,1 EXAMPLE I incorporated, in a concentration of 0.015% by weight, in

the feed forone group. The additive used in this example was N,N' -di- 3-(5-'methylheptyl)-p-phenylene diamine. A conventionaldiet, marketed under the trade name Nutrina,

was used withtheseichicks, that is a scratch diet used for one to two Weeksmhick'starter used for the next six weeks,

I pu letjglQwenused' for the next twelve weeks, and chick mixufseclthereafter The additive was not incorporated in the scratch diet"but'-was incorporated in the other'tbree diets.

The group which wasted on the conventional diet-is designated in the following table as the Control group, while the group which was fed with the diet containing the additive is designated as the Experimental group. The results of 24 weeks are reported in the following table:

Table 1 Control Experi- Group mental Group Average weight of chickens, pounds:

6 weeks 1. 12 1. 12 9 weeks. 2. 25 2. 25 12 weeks. 2. 9 2. 9 18 weeks 4. 4 4. 4 Total feed consumed, pounds:

to 6 weeks 280 290 to 12 weeks 1, 073 1, 085 to 18 weeks..- 1, 923 1, 930 to 24 weeks.- 2, 853 2, 903 Total egg production:

to 20 weeks 1 9 17 42 46 118 124 257 to 24 weeks 238 422 At the end of 24 weeks the chickens in the experimental group consumed approximately 2 grams of the additive per chicken. The number of chickens alive at the end of 24 weeks was approximately the same in both groups.

From the data in the above table, it will be noted that the weight of the chickens remained the same. However, the chickens fed on the diet containing the additive consumed more feed. Of most importance are the data relating to the egg production. It will be noted that the chickens fed on the diet containing the additive produced almost double the quantity of eggs as compared to the quantity produced by the chickens of the control group. There was no noticeable difference between the size and taste of the eggs from either group.

6 EXAMPLE II 0.02% by weight of N,N'-di-4-(2,6-di-methylheptyl)- p-phenylene diamine may be incorporated in the diet of hogs, and may serve to increase the fertility thereof.

EXAMPLE III N,N-di-3-(methylheptyl)-p-phenylene diamine may be incorporated in a concentration of 0.025% by weight in the diet of sheep and may serve to increase multiple births, thereby providing the farmer with increased profits.

I claim as my invention:

1. A method of improving the productivity of poultry which comprises'including in the poultry feed N,N'-dialkyl-p-phenylene diamine in which each alkyl group contains at least seven carbon atoms, in an amount suflicient to effect said improvement.

2. Poultry feed containing from about 0.00001% to about 1% by weight of N,N-di-alkyl-p-phenylene diamine in which each alkyl group contains at least seven carbon atoms.

3. Poultry feed containing from about 0.0001% to about 0.1% by weight of N,N'-di-sec-octyl-p-phenylene diamine.

4. Chicken feed containing from about 0.0001% to about 0.1% by weight of N,N'-di-3-(S-methylheptyl)-pphenylene diamine.

5. Chicken feed containing from about 0.0001% to about 0.1% by weight of N,N-di-4-(2,6-di-rnethylheptyl)- p-phenylene diamine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,513,002 Chenicek June 27, 1950 2,686,719 Chenicek Aug. 17, 1954 2,700,612 Chenicek Jan. 25, 1955 OTHER REFERENCES Morrison: Feeds and Feeding, 21st ed., 1951, Morrison Pub. Co., Ithaca, N. Y., pages 23-29. 

2. POULTRY FEED CONTAINING FROM ABOUT 0.00001% TO ABOUT 1% BY WEIGHT OF N,N''-DI-ALKYL-P-PHENYLENE DIAMINE IN WHICH EACH ALKYL GROUP CONTAINS AT LEAST SEVEN CARBON ATOMS. 